The first street sweeper is widely credited as being patented by Albert Brooks in 1896. Other sources cite his as just one of many around the same time
You can take a look at his drawings if you'd like.
Danny Downs Makes Small Model of Austin Western Sweeper
Model builder, Danny Downs, has made a number of extremely small models in the last four decades. His latest, of a vintage Austin Western sweeper, is one of his finest. Read the story.
Have you ever wondered who 'started' the street sweeping industry?
Benjamin Franklin is the person credited with being the Father of street sweeping. In this article you can read in his own words how he got the idea and started the industry you're now involved with. Read the story.
Alexander Young's Street Sweeper Invention
This is an account of a horse-drawn sweeper, and the person who invented it in 1902, apparently written by the man's great-granddaughter. Read the story.
Radio Interview of the Operator of Canada's "First Practical Street Sweeper"
This great old sound clip was recorded October 30, 1947 by the CBC, in Toronto, Canada. The machine was built by the maintenance staff of the City of Toronto. Link is to a CBC archive with the audio radio interview. Read and hear the story.
World Sweeper Slideshow Site
Here we have lots of photos of early sweepers, sweeper advertisements, and more, including a link to postcards you can send. Have a look! Many of these photos may also be sent to others via email from the WorldSweeper.com Postcard Site, and some are available for purchase.
|
Street Cleaning Practice in Berkeley, California 1941
The Routine? Hand Sweeping, Collection Truck and Deep Gutters... This article was originally published in The American City, April, 1941, and was written by Hary Goodridge, City Engineer and Superintendent of Streets, Berkeley Department of Public Works. Take a look.
Explanation of a 'Street Sweeper' from Answers.com
Answers.com is one of the Internet's premier sites for getting an explanation of just about anything. Here's a link to what they have to say about street sweepers. The landing page includes a variety of photos of different types of current sweepers in use around the world. Take a look.
Street Cleaning in Teaneck, NJ, 1930s
Today, we take it for granted that our city streets are swept on a routine basis with a machine designed for that purpose. That has not always been the case. Here, from the archives of the Teaneck, NJ, Public Library, is a glimpse into a time when the movement from hand sweeping of streets to a whiz-bang new machine was a big deal. Have a look!
Vintage Patent Prints of Sweepers
Check out this vintage patent reprints site if you want to see some interesting old sweeper drawings. They also sell reprints, which can be a nice addition to your office wall in any sweeping organization. Once on the website, put the term 'sweeper' in their search box. Have a look!
World Sweeper Postcard Site
You can send these images, along with your personal message, to anyone with an email address. That makes them perfect for messages to your sweeping service prospects and clients, as well as to others in the industry. Have a look!
The Tao of Sweeping
For those who might want to pursue the more esoteric roots of sweeping, here is the Kanji sign for sweeping, along with a meditative poem about the occupation of sweeping. Have a look!
|
